I would love to live in a world with more vegetarian Superheroes! Where vegetarianism wouldn’t be considered a lifestyle or a side story, but an actual superpower. Vego(wo)man! Ta ta ta taaaaa!
There are plenty of reasons for our caped saviours to be vegetarians:
Some may choose to avoid meat because they believe in animal rights and don't want to contribute to animal cruelty.
Others may avoid meat for health reasons. For example, the character of Superman is sometimes depicted as a vegetarian because his alien physiology allows him to derive all necessary nutrients from plant-based foods.
Or they may not eat meat for environmental concerns. The meat industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution, and some characters may want to reduce their carbon footprint by avoiding meat.
But no Superhero has made his / her power to fight crime by being vegetarian.
So I did some research, and the closest I could find is (drumrolls!) Buddy Baker, aka Animal Man (DC Comics)
Now let me tell you about Buddy, because he is AWESOME!
Buddy Baker - Animal Man!
Buddy Baker is a family man and a former stuntman who gains the ability to harness the power of any animal he touches after being exposed to strange energy while on a hunting trip. With his newfound powers, he becomes the superhero known as Animal Man.
Unlike many superheroes, Animal Man's powers are not based on traditional superhuman abilities, but on his connection to the animal kingdom. He can mimic the strength, speed, agility, and senses of any animal he touches, and can even use their abilities to communicate with and control other animals.
Through this ability, he gained a greater awareness of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the impact that humans have on the environment and the animals that inhabit it. This realisation led him to become a vegetarian as a way to reduce his own impact on the environment and to avoid contributing to the suffering of animals raised for food.
Animal Man has been portrayed in a few media adaptations, including a short-lived live-action television series in 1991 and appearances in animated shows like Justice League Unlimited and Young Justice.
So here is my request to DC Comics and the world:
BRING BACK ANIMAL MAN!
Give him the fame and power that he deserves!
In the meantime, I will be working on my own vegetarian superhero… you'll see!
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